Purdue VBMA Certificate Ceremony Gives Veterinary Students a Career Jump Start

Friday, May 10, 2024

Purdue VBMA president Troy Todd, of the DVM Class of 2026, hands a certificate to fellow student Julie Soda, of the DVM Class of 2025, at the VBMA Business Certificate Banquet.

A first-of-its-kind ceremony in Lynn Hall helped a cadre of veterinary students take an important step forward as they prepare for their veterinary medical careers. The Purdue Chapter of the Veterinary Business Management Association (VBMA) held its inaugural Business Certificate Banquet during lunch on Friday, April 19 in Lynn 1136.

The Business Certificate recognizes the completion of 16 hours of educational credit received through the curriculum offered by the VBMA to develop the business knowledge of each student and help them prepare for productive careers in veterinary medicine as successful associates or business owners. The banquet program began with remarks by Dr. Ellen Lowery, associate dean for hospital operations, chief veterinary officer, and clinical professor, who serves as the Purdue VBMA faculty advisor, and spoke about the value of the instruction and training that students receive through the Business Certificate Program.

The program utilizes interactive lectures, workshops, and events outside of veterinary school curricula to provide the Business Certificate graduate with awareness and knowledge about the concepts of business and personal finance, management, emotional intelligence, marketing, and more. The Business Certificate is founded on the following four pillars:

Category 1: Business Finance
Category 2: Business Operation, Management, Ownership
Category 3: Business Leadership Skills
Category 4: Career and Personal Development

At the conclusion of the recognition program, students who completed the VBMA Business Certificate program gathered for a group photo.

A total of 37 students, representing all four DVM classes, were recognized for completing the certificate program. The names of the recipients were announced during the ceremony and those present came forward to accept their certificates, which were presented by members of the 2023-2024 Purdue VBMA Executive Board – President Troy Todd, Vice-President Brandon Bardin, Treasurer Ashley Rauda, and Secretary Kendall Sattler, who are all members of the DVM Class of 2026. The honorees also received a recognition gift from the organization, before gathering for a group photo.

Congratulations to each of the following Business Certificate Program graduates!

Class of 2024

Hanna Johnson
Allie Megl
Julia Motto
Elizabeth Schoenlein
Stephanie Verkuilen
Lisa Watson

Class of 2025

Devon Anderson
Shelby Boschma
Alicia Cleaver
Valeria Figueroa Ortiz
Zakk Franklin
Sami Hartman-Stackhouse
Frank Leitgeb
Bridget Mallin
Alexandra Meyer
Madeline Milburn
Kiara Nobbe
Madeleine Nunn
Anne Perkins
Juan Ramirez
Marissa Ramon
Carlee Roberts
Lacey Schram
Juli Soda
Sydney Taylor
Cameron Vaughn
Kaitlyn Wolfe

Class of 2026

Brandon Bardin
Andrea Gonzalez Vazquez
Sara Helming
Jacob Mishne
Alejandra Ortiz Perez
Ashley Rauda
Kendall Sattler
Aaron Seymour
Troy Todd

Class of 2027

Hallie Sorg

The Veterinary Business Management Association describes itself as a student-driven organization dedicated to advancing the profession through increasing business knowledge, creating networking opportunities, and empowering students to achieve their personal and professional goals. The Purdue VBMA Business Certificate Program banquet was sponsored by NVA (National Veterinary Associates).

Writer(s): Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu